“Occupy Wall Street” began September 17, 2011. It is a movement to end the financial corruption in our democracy. It is inspired by the Egyptian Tahrir Square uprising and the Spanish acampadas (or the 2011 Spanish Revolution). Over 50,000 protesters occupied the Egyptian Tahrir Square and effectively changed Egypt from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. The aim of the demonstration is to begin a sustained occupation of the financial district of New York City, to protest perceived corporate greed and social inequality.

List Of Demands For Congress

– Investigate, arrest and try the wall street criminals who clearly broke the law and helped cause the 2008 financial crisis.

– Enact legislation to protect our democracy by reversing the effects of the citizens United Supreme Court decision which essentially said corporations can spend as much as they want on elections and no disclosure is required about who’s giving to who.

– Reverse the repeal of the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933. This Act effectively removed the separation that previously existed between investment banking which issued securities and commercial banks which accepted deposits. The deregulation also removed conflict of interest prohibitions between investment bankers serving as officers of commercial banks.

– Pass the “Buffett Rule” on fair taxation so the rich and corporations pay their fair share and close corporate tax loop holes including prohibition on hiding funds off shore

– Completely revamp the securities and exchange commission and staff it at highest and lowest levels with professionals who get the job done protecting the integrity of the market thereby protecting the American people and investors.

– Re-establish the public airwaves in the U.S. so that political candidates are given equal time for free at reasonable intervals in daily programming during campaign season.

– Enact specific laws that effectively build a wall between the defense industry and the U.S. military.

– Smash the Wall Street bull: the bull is the embodiment of the power and influence of the financial industry

Arrests

September 19, four protesters were arrested for wearing masks. One protester was arrested for crossing a police barricade. Two protesters were arrested for entering a building owned by Bank of America.

September 21, one protester was arrested for disorderly conduct.

September 24, at least 80 arrests were made for marching and causing the closure of several streets.

October 1, protesters marched across the Brooklyn bridge and at least 700 arrests were made. Ten buses were used to carry protesters off the bridge.